Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutMN-IURA-2022-10-27108 E. Green St. Ithaca, NY 14850 (607) 274-6565 MEETING MINUTES ITHACA URBAN RENEWAL AGENCY BOARD 8:30 A.M., Thursday, October 27th, 2022 Common Council Chambers, Third Floor (City Hall) 108 E. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 Members: Chris Proulx, Chair; Karl Graham, Vice-Chair; Laura Lewis (Acting Mayor); Donna Fleming; Tracy Farrell; Rob Gearhart, Common Council Liaison (non-voting); Lisa Nicholas, Director of Planning & Development (ex officio non-voting) Excused: None. Staff: Nels Bohn; Anisa Mendizabal; Charles Pyott Vacancies: 0 Guests: IN-PERSON Steve Flash, Finger Lakes Development, LLC Lynn Truame, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) VIRTUAL Scott Whitham, Whitham Planning Design Landscape Architecture, PLLC Jacob Von Mechow, Whitham Planning Design Landscape Architecture, PLLC Victoria Neenan, Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services, Inc. (INHS) I. Call to Order Chair Proulx called the meeting to order at 8:33 A.M. II. Agenda Additions/Deletions None. III. Public Comment (3-min. max. per person) None. IV. Review of Meeting Minutes: August 25th, 2022 Farrell moved, seconded by Graham, to approve the meeting minutes, with no modifications. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 V. Economic Development Committee (EDC) A. Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project Disposition & Development Agreement (DDA) Proulx explained the IURA submitted a set of questions to the developers in August with proposed changes and recommendations. The developers then returned before the Committee this month with a number of revisions, which were reviewed and determined to be satisfactory, although there were a couple of remaining issues to be clarified. Approved: 1/26/23 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 2 of 19 Von Mechow walked through the following presentation slides, noting the site design plan was revised to address the issues the Committee raised previously. Whitham stressed it is a preliminary conceptual design plan, so it remains subject to change (e.g., grading, building footprints, design elements). IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 3 of 19 Von Mechow touched on the following design elements: • food trucks utility hookup and small plaza • kayak/canoe rack and launch • extensive street lighting for activity after sunset • small elevated private space for INHS building (screened with landscaping) and seat walls/benches • shade trees and landscaping • widening of existing paving along seawall to connect to existing trail (matching the trail width) • existing private dock would be made publicly accessible off the inlet The “Limits of Development” slide shows an area in purple of features the development team felt confident it could commit to, including sidewalk connections and crosswalks, to move pedestrians out of the throughfare. The areas outlined in pink would require coordination with New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 4 of 19 The area delimited in blue on the “Limits of All Improvements” slide represents improvements that neighboring property owners would need to be responsible for implementing. They are planned improvements the property owners have been receptive to, but which the developers cannot promise to complete. Public areas are demarcated in blue on the “Public/Private Diagram,” with private property outlined in red. Further discussion needs to take place with INHS regarding public access easements. The design team also relocated the property lines as close to the INHS building as possible. Von Mechow noted the developers feel confident they have addressed the key concerns raised by the Committee (e.g., public playground, circulation improvements, public waterfront access, promenade upgrade, public benches along trails). There is also a memorandum in the agenda packet enumerating the amenities being offered for the Coast Guard Auxiliary (CGA) building. Proulx explained a couple of conditions were included in the proposed resolution: «1. Sponsor’s accommodation to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 2-2 (CGA) to continue to offer safety and educational programming shall include (A.) free use of a conference room in the Stays hotel facility for monthly meetings of the CGA at no cost unless special services are requested, and (B.) a standing offer to the CGA to use the conference room at other times at the hotel’s “best preferred rate.” 2. Sponsor shall make a good faith effort to pursue permitting and installation of a public access floating dock at “Lookout Point.”» Bohn explained that the plans for the flexspace and negotiations with DEC for acquisition of the 508 Taughannock Boulevard property have moved forward. Originally, DEC wanted to have flood/dredging logistics established at the northern side of the island, but it is now open to having flood/dredging logistics focused on the flexspace. The City also appears to be satisfied with that approach. Lewis expressed concern with the amount of surface parking associated with the project; she knows there have been discussions about the need for green space. She knows the flexspace would be employed for boats, but she wondered how much green space would be available for the public to use. Flash responded he expects that area would have a hard or coarse grass surface, so it would not be entirely flat and unobstructed. Other than in Fall and Spring, it would be available to the public for kayaking and food trucks. Its use would, however, need be permitted, since it would lie within the DEC easement. Von Mechow added it would be drivable reinforced lawn. Graham asked if there would be seating areas around the food truck area. Von Mechow replied, yes, although they are part of the preliminary design and would likely change as the project goes through Site Plan Review (SPR). For example, grade changes will need to be made on the site, so the project would include some built-in seating walls and boulder seating. Graham recalled Von Mechow stating that improvements to the trail along the inlet on the west side may be made. Von Mechow replied, yes. Since that area would lie within the DEC easement, however, any improvements would need its approval. He would expect DEC to be amenable to those improvements, but he cannot be certain. IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 5 of 19 Graham noted that one could make one’s way around the area in blue, between the boat storage and the Boat Yard Grill, to Lookout Point and recalled that the owners may develop the trail to the north. Von Mechow replied there is an existing sidewalk near the Boat Yard Grill, and it does connect to the parking area and turnaround; but it is somewhat disjointed so the designers showed proposed improvements in that section that would improve that connection. They are offering to provide a connection from Lookout Point to the existing sidewalk at the Boat Yard Grill property line. The rest of the connection improvements would need further improvements. Proulx added that the precise circulation patterns would be determined by the Planning and Development Board. Farrell asked if all the parking would be public except the area immediately adjacent to the Anchor building. Von Mechow responded, correct, although there would be seven spaces near the Anchor building that would serve INHS tenants, so those would be signed as being for residents only. Farrell asked who is anticipated to be using the parking lots near the bridge and boat yard area. She wondered if there really need to be that many parking spaces close to the bridge. Von Mechow replied a minimum number of parking spaces were required in the IURA’s RFP, so the parking spaces meet that core requirement. He is not entirely sure how shared use of parking spaces would be managed. Bohn explained that the IURA asked for 80 parking spaces for public/shared use to support the other businesses on the island, but he would expect it to all be shared public parking (and most likely involve some fee for parking). Proulx wondered who would manage all the parking. Bohn responded that is an issue that would be resolved during Site Plan Review (SPR) and negotiations with the City Engineering Division. Nicholas asked who is responsible for installing the improvements on Taughannock Boulevard. Proulx responded it appears the portion that exists now would be the City’s responsibility, while the part on the other side adjacent to the Anchor and Stays buildings would be the developer’s responsibility. Bohn added the City would need to approve any improvements in its own right-of-way (ROW). Fleming noted she always believed the City has been asking a great deal of the developers, with requirements for affordable housing, tourism-related amenities, green space, etc. The IURA/City should be as clear as possible how all the demands are prioritized. What has been proposed appears to be a good compromise. Graham asked if any public buses would operate on the site. Von Mechow replied the turnaround is sized for a fire truck’s turning radius, so it should accommodate Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit, Inc. (TCAT) bus turns, assuming TCAT determines there is sufficient demand. IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 6 of 19 Proulx moved, seconded by Lewis: Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project — Authorize Disposition & Development Agreement (DDA) WHEREAS, the IURA and the City of Ithaca collectively own approximately 2.5 acres of underutilized land on Inlet Island (Project Site), and WHEREAS, in April 2021, the IURA issued a Request for Expressions of Interest (RFEI) for conceptual development proposals at the Project Site, and WHEREAS, the IURA sought an urban renewal project that will improve the physical, social, and economic characteristics of the project site and surrounding area, and advance goals and objectives of the 2015 City’s comprehensive plan, and its Waterfront Plan chapter adopted in 2019, and WHEREAS, The Waterfront Plan encourages the following land use objectives:  Mixed-use development  Housing opportunities at all income levels  Public access to the waterfront  Better multi-modal connections  Vibrant waterfront, and WHEREAS, on June 24, 2021, the IURA selected Finger Lakes Development, LLC (Sponsor), pursuant to section 507 of General Municipal Law, to sponsor a proposed Inlet Island Urban Renewal project based on their conceptual RFEI submission, subject to the following conditions: • Commitment from the developer to share environmental clean-up costs; • Clarification of Finger Lakes Boating Center’s commitment to make improvements, in terms of visual access and limited boat storage; • Commitment by the developer to address the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s need to maintain its water access and continued operations; and be it further WHEREAS, in consultation with Common Council, a project objective was clarified to read: Ground-Level Activity: The development program shall include public amenities and programming to enhance ground-level activity and attract City residents to Inlet Island in a manner that does not result in a reduction of the proposed affordable housing units in the project, and WHEREAS, on December 21, 2021, the IURA entered into an Exclusive Negotiation Agreement (ENA) with the Sponsor, establishing a framework for negotiations, including a list of development and feasibility “issues to be resolved”, and performance milestone schedules, and WHEREAS, on August 8, 2022, Sponsor submitted a detailed development program and other project information specified in section III of the ENA, and IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 7 of 19 WHEREAS, on August 25, 2022, the IURA found that the 8/8/22 submission did not satisfactorily address all issues necessary to structure a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement and authorized extension of the ENA to allow for a revised resubmission, and WHEREAS, the IURA Chairperson issued a Memorandum of Unresolved Issues, dated August 31, 2022, to the Sponsor, WHEREAS, an updated submission from the Sponsor was received on 10/4/22, and WHEREAS, per the ENA, upon receipt of a complete Sponsor submission the IURA shall submit a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement to the Sponsor within 30 days or seek a time extension via resolution of the IURA, and WHEREAS, should IURA submit a proposed DDA, Sponsor has a 15-day period to execute the agreement or submit a counteroffer, or the ENA terminates, and WHEREAS, on October 11, 2022, the IURA Economic Development Committee reviewed the Sponsor’s updated submission against unresolved issues identified in the August 31st memo including: • ground level activity • public waterfront access • Coast Guard Auxiliary • marina operations • final project site • various clarifications Now, therefore be it RESOLVED, the IURA finds that the updated 10/4/22 Sponsor submission of the proposed detailed development program and other project information does satisfactorily address remaining unresolved issues for the IURA to structure a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement for the Inlet Island Urban Renewal Project subject to the following conditions/clarifications: 1. Sponsor’s accommodation to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 2-2 (CGA) to continue to offer safety and educational programming shall include (A.) free use of a conference room in the Stays hotel facility for monthly meetings of the CGA at no cost unless special services are requested, and (B.) a standing offer to the CGA to use the conference room at other times at the hotel’s “best preferred rate,” and 2. Sponsor shall make a good faith effort to pursue permitting and installation of a public access floating dock at “Lookout Point.” And be it further, RESOLVED, that the IURA Chairperson, subject to review by IURA legal counsel, is hereby authorized to submit a proposed Disposition and Development Agreement to the Sponsor to implement this resolution. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 8 of 19 B. Close-Out Small Business Resiliency Fund (SBRF) Project Proulx explained the proposed resolution would formally close out the SBRF program and reallocate the remaining $13,645.56 balance from SBRF back to the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (ED-RLF). Proulx moved, seconded by Lewis: Close Out of COVID-19 Small Business Resiliency Fund Project WHEREAS, on April 2, 2020, the IURA allocated $140,000 of economic development revolving loan funds to capitalize a COVID-19 Microenterprise Resiliency Program to assist local microenterprise businesses stabilize and survive the COVID-19 pandemic, and WHEREAS, the City, IURA, Downtown Ithaca Alliance (DIA), Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED), and Alternatives Federal Credit Union (AFCU) collaborated on development of the Small Business Resiliency Fund (SBRF), a program to assist local businesses economically injured by the COVID-19 pandemic, administered by AFCU, and WHEREAS, the IURA entered into a funding agreement with AFCU to deliver the IURA component of the SBRF, and WHEREAS, the SBRF provided up to $5,000 in forgivable loans for operating expenses to eligible businesses which agreed to provide personal financial guarantees to secure each loan, and WHEREAS, loans were eligible to be forgiven upon receipt of complete and satisfactory documentation that the loan funds were used for legitimate and eligible business operating expenses, and WHEREAS, the IURA/AFCU funding agreement’s term ran from April 15, 2020 to December 31, 2021, and WHEREAS, AFCU delivered loans totaling $135,800 to 29 local small businesses from the IURA component of the program, and WHEREAS, vouchers totaling $13,519.56 submitted by AFCU to the IURA for reimbursement lacked complete and satisfactory documentation the loan funds were used for legitimate and eligible business operating expenses by assisted businesses, and WHEREAS, AFCU earned $4,070 of up to $4,200 available in delivery fees, leaving an additional balance of $126.00 unallocated from the authorized project funding, and WHEREAS, the IURA/AFCU funding agreement has expired and AFCU has indicated its efforts to obtain the remaining eligible cost documentation have been exhausted; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby reallocates $13,645.56 ($13,519.56 + $126.00) from SBRF back to the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund (ED-RLF). Carried Unanimously: 5-0 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 9 of 19 C. Committee Chairperson Report None. VI. Neighborhood Investment Committee (NIC) A. Amendment #8 to 2019 HUD Action Plan (2nd Reprogramming of CDBG-CV Funds) Graham explained the proposed resolution would reprogram $26,785.48 in CDBG-CV funds not expended by IURA sub-recipients. The majority of the funds come from the St. John’s Community Services (SJCS) HVAC Upgrade project, with the remaining funds from Catholic Charities’ CDBG-CV Security Deposit Assistance Program. Fleming asked what the IURA’s policy is regarding funding religious organizations. Bohn replied, strictly speaking, Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties is not religious in terms of how it operates. This is an issue that has been explored in prior years. It is a separate non-religious 501(c)(3) organization. Graham moved, seconded by Farrell: 8th Amendment to 2019 Action Plan: Second Reprogramming of CDBG-CV Funds WHEREAS, approximately $26,785.48 in U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant CARES Act (CDBG-CV) funding was unable to be expended by IURA sub-recipients and is need of reprogramming, and WHEREAS, HUD requires 80% of CDBG-CV funds to be expended by July 22, 2023, and WHEREAS, a small number of IURA sub-recipients have successfully expended funds and completed their projects, and WHEREAS, the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee instructed IURA staff to invite said sub- recipients to submit proposals for use of CDBG-CV funds to be reprogrammed, and WHEREAS, per the City’s HUD Citizen Participation Plan, amendments that fall below the threshold for a substantial Amendment may be approved by the IURA with notice provided to the Common Council, and WHEREAS, a change to use funds to an existing or new activity is a substantial Amendment only if the activity is allocated more than $25,000.00, and WHEREAS, the IURA Neighborhood Investment Committee has reviewed proposals received by invited sub-recipients and recommends the following action; now, therefore be it RESOLVED, the IURA Board hereby approves this Amendment to the 2019 Action Plan to allocate unexpended CDBG-CV funds to the following two activities: IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 10 of 19 ● $17,000.00 to the “OAR Community Outreach Program” to be carried out by Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR), and ● $9,785.48 to the “Aid to Immigrants During COVID-19” to be carried out by Catholic Charities of Tompkins/Tioga Counties’ (CCTT) Immigrant Services Program (ISP). Carried Unanimously: 5-0 VII. Governance Committee (GC) A. 2023 IURA Budget Bohn explained that Fall is the IURA’s budget season, so the Board needs to review the various components of the proposed 2023 Budget. Bohn then walked through the major elements of his October 18, 2022 memorandum (excerpted below): The staff recommended 2023 budget of $417,841 represents an increase of 3.5% from the 2022 budget. 2023 revenues available to pay IURA expenses are projected at approximately $500,000, $82,000 more than annual operating expenses. Projected revenues in 2023 include one-time funding from the American Rescue Plan (ARP) totaling approximately $130,000. The final $50,000 of ARP funding is anticipated to be applied to the budget in 2024. The major drivers for IURA expenses are: • Staff • Health insurance premiums • Legal and other professional services The major drivers for IURA revenues are: • HUD grant awards, especially COVID-19-related awards • Loan repayments Following is a summary of these major budget drivers: Expenses After many years of mild inflation, the trailing August-August annual CPI was 7.6%, which ripples through many IURA operating expenses. Salaries and employee benefits account for 86% of the IURA budget. The budget retains all current staffing (3.63 FTE) and provides a 4.0% salary increase, roughly half of the CPI though higher than the 2.25% increase for the City Administrative unit agreement. Every 1% change in salaries changes the budget by $3,000. The City has initiated a compensation study that they will share with the bargaining units and may result in adjustments to salaries in 2024, particularly for positions that are difficult to fill. The Planning Division has had challenges attracting applicants for open planner positions. Providing a 4% increase in salaries can help the IURA remain competitive in the labor market. Health insurance premiums increased 8.6% in 2023, but two employees now gain health insurance coverage through their spouses. IURA pays up to 75% of out-of-pocket expenses to any employee who elects to maintain coverage through a spouse. In total, health insurance expenses are projected to decline 1% to just under $50,000 in 2023. Legal expenses are projected to increase by 6% to $19,000 to account for inflation. Other professional services are projected to increase 16% to approximately $25,000 to account for special survey, appraisal and abstract expenses associated with projected land conveyances associated with the Inlet Island urban renewal project. These expenses are expected to be reimbursed from property sale proceeds. IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 11 of 19 Revenues In past years, HUD grants provide funding for approximately 44% of the IURA budget. While the 2022 HUD Entitlement grant provides level funding, CARES Act special CDBG-CV3 and HOME-ARP allocations are projected to provide $144,000 in administrative funding for 2023. A final $50,000 of HOME-ARP funding is anticipated to be available in 2024. HUD grant funding is projected to cover almost 73% of the 2023 IURA budget. Loan repayment revenues are projected to increase 33% to about $105,000 in 2023 due to increased loan activity. Reimbursable staff/legal expenses are projected to increase in 2023 to $36,500 for costs associated with urban renewal projects. Summary Overall, special one-time HUD awards (CDBG-CV and HOME-ARP) will allow the 2023 budget to be fully funded from projected revenues in 2023. These one-time funds will be exhausted after 2024, when the IURA budget may turn from an operating surplus to an operating loss in 2025 if other revenues sources are not identified. Sale of land for an urban renewal project, such as at Inlet Island, may result in lump sum revenue event or a new stream of revenues if structured as an owner-financed loan to the project sponsor. Should there be a shortfall in future years, funds can be drawn from existing cash accounts to balance the budget for a time. Fortunately, the #05 non-CDBG cash account currently has an unobligated balance of approximately $600,000 available to address future budget gaps until other revenues can be identified. Proulx observed that he knows the IURA has been exploring the sale of its final Cherry Street property. He wondered if there are any other IURA properties could sell. Bohn replied, no (at least no property with any significant market value). Farrell moved, seconded by Graham: 2023 IURA Budget WHEREAS, the IURA desires to annually adopt an administrative budget to guide expenditures and manage financial resources of the IURA, and WHEREAS, New York State law governing public authorities requires submission of a proposed budget 60 days prior to the start of the next fiscal year, and WHEREAS, the IURA budget is due to be submitted to the New York State Authorities Budget Office (ABO) by November 1st of each year, and WHEREAS, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed this matter at its October 25, 2022 meeting and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby adopts the FY2023 IURA Administrative Budget, dated 10/18/22. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 12 of 19 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 13 of 19 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 14 of 19 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 15 of 19 IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 16 of 19 B. Threshold for Dual Signatures on IURA Disbursements Bohn explained the IURA has historically required two separate signatures for every check it issues, which can become cumbersome. The proposed resolution would establish a threshold of over $5,000 for checks requiring two signatures. Farrell moved, seconded by Graham (as amended): $5,000 Threshold for Dual Signatures on IURA Disbursements WHEREAS, the IURA issues approximately 300 disbursement checks annually, and each check currently requires two signatures, and WHEREAS, occasionally, gaining the second signature delays issuance of a check that may create a hardship for a non-profit agency or incur a late fee on the IURA, and WHEREAS, authorized IURA signers for disbursements are IURA Director of Community Development, IURA Executive Director, IURA Chair, and a designated IURA Board member, and IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 17 of 19 WHEREAS, maintaining a robust separation of duties limits the number of IURA-affiliated persons based in City Hall available to sign disbursement checks, and WHEREAS, IURA staff is exploring issuance of electronic checks through Tompkins Community Bank in lieu of paper checks to avoid delays via U.S.P.S. mail and increase efficiency, and WHEREAS, electronic checking through Tompkins Community Bank does not appear to readily provide for dual approvals on disbursements in a manner that mimics the IURA check-approval process, and WHEREAS, IURA staff has consulted with Insero & Company, LLP, the IURA’s auditor, which indicated that limiting dual signatures to higher disbursement amounts is acceptable and a common practice, and WHEREAS, analysis of checks issued in prior years results in the following statistics for disbursements over $5,000: Year Dollar Value of Disbursements Over $5,000 Number of Disbursements Over $5,000 $ % # % 2020 $1,465,960 81% 37 13% 2021 $1,161,483 72% 42 13% 2022 YTD $490,814 64% 22 11% And, WHEREAS, establishing a threshold over $5,000 for disbursements requiring dual signatures would capture 64%-81% of the value of IURA disbursements historically, and WHEREAS, at its October 21, 2022 meeting, the IURA Governance Committee reviewed this matter and recommended the following; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby establishes a policy to require dual signatures only on IURA disbursements exceeding $5,000. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 C. Appointment of Committee Chair Bohn explained the Committee elects its own Vice-Chair, but nominates its Chair for the IURA Board to formally appoint. An IURA Board member is required to either serve as Chair or Vice-Chair. Farrell moved, seconded by Graham: Appointment of 2022 IURA Governance Committee Chairperson WHEREAS, Eric Rosario, Chairperson of the Governance Committee, resigned from the Agency on May 27, 2022, and IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 18 of 19 WHEREAS, Kathy Schlather serves as Vice-Chair of the Governance Committee, and WHEREAS, Donna Fleming was appointed to fill the Agency vacancy and has also been appointed to the Governance Committee, and WHEREAS, IURA by-laws provide that the committee membership shall elect its own committee Vice- Chairperson and nominate a candidate for committee Chairperson for consideration by the Agency, and WHEREAS, per the by-laws, an IURA Board member shall fill either the committee Chairperson or committee Vice-Chairperson position, and WHEREAS, officers of each committee serve a one-year term, but continue to hold office until their successor is selected or appointed, and WHEREAS, at its October 21, 2022 meeting, the Committee elected Donna Fleming as Vice-Chair and nominated Kathy Schlather as Chairperson; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the IURA hereby appoints Kathy Schlather as Chairperson of the IURA Governance Committee. Carried Unanimously: 5-0 D. Committee Chairperson Report None. VIII. Other Business A. IURA Financials: September 2022 Bohn walked through the Grants Summary and explained that the left-hand “On Schedule” column calls out any projects that are not on schedule and that may need attention. The “GO ITHACA Low-Income Support” project has been extremely slow in submitting voucher reimbursement documentation and is approaching the original termination date in its contract. The “Online Market Discounts for LMI/SNAP Customers” project has also been relatively slow in expending its funds and has not been serving as many beneficiaries as anticipated at this point in the process. Bohn added that many CDBG-CV-funded projects have involved considerably more work for IURA staff than expected. Altogether, however, the vast majority of projects have been progressing well in terms of expenditures and project completion. Bohn noted the “HVAC Upgrade” project, operated by St. John’s Community Services (SJCS), never succeeded in obtaining complete Davis-Bacon documentation, so was never reimbursed by the IURA, although the project was fully completed. B. IURA Chairperson Report None. IURA Minutes October 27, 2022 Page 19 of 19 C. Mayor’s Report Lewis reported that October is the Common Council’s budget negotiation month, for which there is a significant learning curve this year with a number of new Common Council members. She characterized it as an ambitious budget with priorities including staffing and infrastructure. The proposed budget is available on the City web site at: http://www.cityofithaca.org/DocumentCenter/View/14293/2023-Mayor- Recommended-Budget. D. Common Council Liaison Report Gearhart reported that Common Council has been reviewing budget requests above the Mayor’s proposed budget and spent three hours reviewing the first three, so it has been a laborious process. He expressed appreciation for the Mayor’s commitment to City staff and infrastructure. E. Staff Report Bohn reported the sale of the 309 College Avenue property is moving forward, including finalization of the terms of the DDA. The project is also moving through the Site Plan Review (SPR) process and no major issues have emerged. Bohn reported the City’s Restore NY6 (“Cayuga Street Rehabilitation”) $2M application was completed and submitted. The project consists of the rehabilitation of two adjacent vacant commercial multi-story buildings (115-121 S. Cayuga St. and 123 S. Cayuga St.). The buildings would be redeveloped for mixed-use (i.e., office, housing, retail), including 16 new affordable housing units and a new restaurant. IX. Adjournment The meeting was adjourned by consensus at 10:04 A.M. — END — Minutes prepared by C. Pyott, edited by N. Bohn.